Global Fieldwork

What is Global Fieldwork?

Global Fieldwork is a short-term, hands-on learning opportunity for students enrolled in UVU courses connected to an official UVU UNESCO Chair project. These experiences are tied to the course curriculum and offer students the chance to engage directly with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and communities in the Global South. Destinations may include countries like Peru, the Philippines, Dominican Republic, Cambodia, and others.

Unlike traditional study abroad programs, Global Fieldwork is not a standalone travel course. It is an extension of classroom learning grounded in the objectives of a specific UVU UNESCO project. There is no Global Fieldwork without a project, and students must be registered in a course where the instructor has integrated a UNESCO initiative into the syllabus. Fieldwork trips usually take place during or at the end of the semester, depending on the course design. Participation is completely optional and does not affect a student’s grade or engagement with the course project. Students who choose to participate are responsible for covering travel costs, though faculty may share information about funding opportunities. Trips are kept short—typically 1 to 2 weeks—to ensure accessibility.

Benefits of Global Fieldwork

Real-world application of
course material

Active contribution to development efforts in the Global South

Multicultural immersion and collaborative experience

Certificate of participation to add to your résumé or portfolio

Students interested in participating should speak with their course instructor. Faculty interested in adding a Global Fieldwork component to their UNESCO project can indicate this in the faculty project application form. If you have questions, please send a message to or

Examples of Global Fieldwork

Building Bridges: Collaborative Solutions for Water Sustainability Between Peru and Utah
(with UVU College of Science)

Student testing water samples
Students looking at water samples in jars
 

Cambodia Sanitation Project (with UVU College of Health and Public Service)

Student volunteer with children in Cambodia
Student volunteers in Cambodia